Rifle Scopes SPR Scope help

[iSlice]

So I just finished my SPR, and now i just need to figure out what optic i want. I know most people have been using the Nightforce or some Leupold. i was thinking about going with the Vortex PST 2.5-10x44 or 4-16x50 FFP. Any other suggestions? Also,

Is FFP and high magnification really necessary for this type of rifle?

Would a 50mm objective look awkward on an SPR?(not really relevant, but just a question)

Just some things i would like to get some opinions on. Thanks in advance.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: SPR Scope help

SPR really includes a metric shit ton of combinations, whats the caliber is the first big question

 

[iSlice]

Re: SPR Scope help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VAJayJayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">SPR really includes a metric shit ton of combinations, whats the caliber is the first big question </div></div>

AR-Platform
5.56/.223
18" barrel 1/8 twist

 

[salmonaxe]

Re: SPR Scope help

I know I show these a lot, but I really like having 3.5-15x on my SPR's. FFP would be nice, but I haven't needed it. Successfully engaged 75% to 750yds with xm193(very little wind) and 950 20-30% with blue box Black Hills 75gr.(decent amount of wind. 5-7mph). Target sizes under IPSC standard.

More mag just gives me better self spotting info. I like dialing parallax which isn't on the 2.5-10x NXS. My 2.5-10x24 NXS didn't seem to have much parallax induced error since I was able to shoot 1moa with my anemic 300 whisper loads using this scope.

 

[Tucsondave]

Re: SPR Scope help

I have a 1.5-8x26 IOR on mine. Works great in close and extremely well out to 600+

 

[iSlice]

Re: SPR Scope help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Salmonaxe</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I know I show these a lot, but I really like having 3.5-15x on my SPR's. FFP would be nice, but I haven't needed it. Successfully engaged 75% to 750yds with xm193(very little wind) and 950 20-30% with blue box Black Hills 75gr.(decent amount of wind. 5-7mph). Target sizes under IPSC standard.

More mag just gives me better self spotting info. I like dialing parallax which isn't on the 2.5-10x NXS. My 2.5-10x24 NXS didn't seem to have much parallax induced error since I was able to shoot 1moa with my anemic 300 whisper loads using this scope.

</div></div>

First time ive seen it, since im pretty new to the forum. Looks great. Can you see your front back up sight through your optic when its folded?

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: SPR Scope help

call me old school but I use a 3.5-10 Lupy on mine and works great

 

[Basher]

Re: SPR Scope help

Mine isn't complete, but I run a SuperSniper 3-9x42 on it and I'm pleased so far. Would I like illumination, parallax adjustment and more magnification? Sure I would! But this works well for me. I'm nowhere near what you'd call "experienced" at medium to long ranges, but I managed a score of 452-2x out of a possible 600-60x at my first F-TR match at 500 yards using a 20" gov't profile barrel thats chrome lined (ie, not a precision or match setup by any means). Pretty sure I'm at fault for the low score, though.

But anyhow, 9x is plenty for the 500-600 yards I plan to use mine at. Maybe someday I'll have a USO 1.8-10x SN3 on it, but the SuperSniper works great so far for a college guy on a budget such as myself.

 

[salmonaxe]

Re: SPR Scope help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: iSlice</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

First time ive seen it, since im pretty new to the forum. Looks great. Can you see your front back up sight through your optic when its folded? </div></div>

I've never noticed it on the rail mounted one. Of course on Vltor VST-1C it's pretty much on the same plane as the top rail so it's definitely not visible.

If any shadowing is happening, it would only happen at 3.5x and it would be minimal.

Just FYI, those are 2 separate builds.

 

[-=boone=-]

Re: SPR Scope help

 

[USACS]

Re: SPR Scope help

It depends on what you want to do with the rifle. For an operational/duty SPR, it's a necessity to have a low magnification on the bottom end. 2.5-3.5x is ideal for most scopes, although 1x or 1.1x is pretty sweet (for the 1-8x scopes).
If you plan to do a lot of long range work, or want to use it for varmint hunting, a higher magnification is helpful, which makes the 4-16x50 more feasible. If you want to have an SPR that's "truer" to its intended purpose of use, the 2.5-10x44 is the scope to go with. (as is the 3.5-10x Leupold or 2.5-10x32 NF NXS Compact).
Personally, my ideal SPR scope would be the US Optics SN-3 1.8-10x, or else one of the new 1-8x scopes.
If you want to meet in the middle, the NXS is a good way to go with the 3.5-15x magnification range. Weaver Tactical has a 3-15x scope in the sub-$700 range for a less expensive alternative with a 5x erector. Lots of options available.

 

[TonyAngel]

Re: SPR Scope help

This was my SPRish build with a Nightforce 2.5-10X32. I really liked it as a package. If was super portable and easy to deal with when humping it. There were times when I wish I had more magnification than 10X though.

Sorry, that above was a 16" rig.

This is on an 18" rig...

 

[5RWill]

Re: SPR Scope help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VAJayJayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">call me old school but I use a 3.5-10 Lupy on mine and works great

</div></div>

That looks like the 2.5-8x36mm Mark 4?

As to the OP, my take on it is get a current scope you have, put it on 6x, 8x, 10x and so on. Look at something the size of say a large coffee can or in my case i looked at a golf ball washer to finalize my choice. I used 2 scopes. One SFP nikon and my USO SN-3 put them on 8x and 10x and looked at a golf ball washer at 500yds. I felt i had no problem seeing and shooting at something as small as say a large fast food drink size cup. I know these are weird comparisons, but longest shot i've made with a lower power optic on a small object was with a 4x acog on a large McDonalds cup full of water at 306 yards. But that is how i did my comparison and i felt that i wouldn't need 10x for 500-600m shooting. As the rule of thumb goes 1x magnification per 100yds so technically i "should" be able to hit a 10" target at 800yds.

Then again you can always decrease magnification on a larger power scope. Partly for my liking lower power scopes, (i don't own a scope above 20x yet) is weight. Not that i have a problem with larger power scopes they're awesome for target and varmint shooting. Sometimes i just feel a 50mm objective is too big a profile for some of my weapons, idk why i'm like thats just how i feel.

Also while i truly do adore FFP and had a hard time straying away from one for my upcoming SPR. They're not down right necessary if your per say varmint hunting or target shooting. If you plan on running a practical long range match or 3 gun per say, then yes it's a huge advantage, since regardless the power the measurements on the reticle do not change. I also love the FOV and shrinking of the reticle on low power, helps me spot my surroundings better.

 

[VJJPunisher]

Re: SPR Scope help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Blackops_2

That looks like the 2.5-8x36mm Mark 4?</div></div>


actually I did miss speak, it is a 3-9X36 MK4, few years old before they changed the model to the 2.5-8X36

 

[iSlice]

Re: SPR Scope help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USACS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It depends on what you want to do with the rifle. For an operational/duty SPR, it's a necessity to have a low magnification on the bottom end. 2.5-3.5x is ideal for most scopes, although 1x or 1.1x is pretty sweet (for the 1-8x scopes).
If you plan to do a lot of long range work, or want to use it for varmint hunting, a higher magnification is helpful, which makes the 4-16x50 more feasible. If you want to have an SPR that's "truer" to its intended purpose of use, the 2.5-10x44 is the scope to go with. (as is the 3.5-10x Leupold or 2.5-10x32 NF NXS Compact).
Personally, my ideal SPR scope would be the US Optics SN-3 1.8-10x, or else one of the new 1-8x scopes.
If you want to meet in the middle, the NXS is a good way to go with the 3.5-15x magnification range. Weaver Tactical has a 3-15x scope in the sub-$700 range for a less expensive alternative with a 5x erector. Lots of options available. </div></div>

Thanks for the info. One Question, when you say 3.5-15x is a good median optic how noticeable or drastic is the transition from 3.5-4x if i went with the 4-16x.

Thank you everyone for the great info. I find it all very informative and useful. Keep it coming!

 

[lwrkeysfisher]

Re: SPR Scope help

I just moved my Nightforce 2.5-10X32 to my 6.8 hunting rifle, and put a 3.5-10 Leupold on my precision AR. I looked at the Viper PST's and liked them, but I think the Leupy's glass is a step up. I would look for a used Leupold 3.5-10 or 4.5-14 with M5 knobs on the exchange here.

 

[Prairie Dog Dundee]

Re: SPR Scope help

I have been very happy with the SWFA SS 3-9X42 in the SPR or DMR application. I prefer not to have a parallax adjustment because it is just another adjustment to slow you down. I shoot steel out to 800 yards with mine and it is plenty of magnification and I have not had parallax issues. It is also cost effective especially with the Hide discount.

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Uploaded with ImageShack.usimg]

 

[5RWill]

Re: SPR Scope help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VAJayJayPunisher</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Blackops_2

That looks like the 2.5-8x36mm Mark 4?</div></div>


actually I did miss speak, it is a 3-9X36 MK4, few years old before they changed the model to the 2.5-8X36 </div></div>

Oh thats pretty cool. Don't see many of those around.

 

[whitefarms4840]

Re: SPR Scope help

Roughly what is cost of SS 3x9 with hide discount?

 

[USACS]

Re: SPR Scope help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: iSlice</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Thanks for the info. One Question, when you say 3.5-15x is a good median optic how noticeable or drastic is the transition from 3.5-4x if i went with the 4-16x.

Thank you everyone for the great info. I find it all very informative and useful. Keep it coming!</div></div>
It's probably not a big enough issue to be critical. Each company's 3.5x is different. One might be closer to 3x while another might be closer to 4x.
The bigger concern is the weight, as well as the larger 50mm objective lens of the scope. If it's an operational scope, the largest I would want would be 44mm. For a scope for target and hunting, 50mm works just fine.

 

[BCP]

Re: SPR Scope help

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: toolfanatic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Roughly what is cost of SS 3x9 with hide discount? </div></div>

I think it's 10% off. So 540+shipping. I would get a PST 2.5-10 instead.

 

[fireEMT5]

Re: SPR Scope help

Another vote for the SS 3x9. Personally I love the FFP of the SS. If I had to choose again over SFP and illumination of something like the PST 2.5x10 or the FFP SS 3x9, I'd go with the SS again without a second thought. I'm running my mine on a S&W MP15 - 16" tube. It's all the scope I need for the range of this rifle. It's built like a tank, has a no B.S. warranty and priced right.

 

[Fallschirmjaager]

Re: SPR Scope help

Noob here, just beginning to learn about all this stuff. I'm in the same boat as the OP and have been looking seriously at the IOR Valdada Spartan Tactical 2-12. Figured this would be a good place to throw it out there as an option for the OP and get some feedback at the same time.

Likes:
Variable power all the way down to 2x and all the way up to 12x
Optional CQB reticule with big visible doughnut good for short range
Comes with rings
Cheaper than NF/USO/etc.

Dislikes:
Heavy
35mm tube (huge and limits mounting options, I'll probably ditch the stock rings)
Not a lot of information available on it, specifically the turrets (MTC? Zero stop? I believe adjustments are 1/4MOA but I'm not sure)
SFP (not that big a deal though since I don't want that big doughnut getting bigger at high magnification)

With regards to magnification it certainly seems like a perfect SPR scope but there's a lot of unknowns. If someone here wants to shed some light that'd be awesome, otherwise give me a couple weeks and if I do pull the trigger on it I'll write the review myself for the OP.

 

[iSlice]

Re: SPR Scope help

Thanks again everyone for the comments! After thinking about what my SPR's uses would most likely be I think im going to with something in the 1-10x range, since it seems as if it would still be effective to at least 600 yards. With that im leaning towards the PST 2.5-10x, 2.5-10x32 NF NXS Compact, and still checking out some of the other great suggestions given. If i went with the nightforce I noticed there are a few reticle selections. Without getting too technical what reticle would be the best for duty operational use. Is there a thread on this that i could check out. Thanks again for all the help im pretty much a noob when it comes to the precision rifle.

 

[TKellogg]

Re: SPR Scope help

Personally anything like the IOR MP-8 or Leupold TMR would be my first choice